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10 stories that rocked the business world in 2013

Here's a look at the 10 biggest financial stories in Canada and beyond this year. (Reuters/QMI Agency files)

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RBC and temporary foreign workers program RBC made headlines when an employee exposed the bank for laying off Canadians and bringing in temporary foreign workers. After outrage from Canadians, the bank announced they would be more mindful of who their suppliers hire.

The feds also stepped up to reform the temporary foreign workers program, allowing it to only be used for "absolute and acute"¯ labour shortages. (EDDIE CHAU/QMI AGENCY)

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Canada Post Is the mail man going the way of the milk man? This month Canada Post announced it would be stopping residential mail delivery for many of its urban customers.

At the same time, the crown corp. said that it would be raising the price of an individual stamp to a buck and cutting some 6,000 to 8000 jobs in the next 10 years through attrition. (Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency)

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Canada's new wireless code Canada's wireless market is often touted as one of world's worst for consumers but this year was a victory for the little guy.

The CRTC's new Wireless Codecaps monthly data/data roaming costs and guarantees all customers the right to cancel their contract without penalty after two years.

PICTURED: CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais. (REUTERS/Chris Wattie)

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The U.S. government shutdown When the U.S. government couldn't pass their budget by Oct. 1st, it simply shut down, furloughing 800,000 federal employees for 16 days.

The deadlock was mainly caused by Republicans refusing to support the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare. Eventually, the Republicans conceded and the law passed, and the debt limit was suspended until Feb. 7, 2013. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

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Bangladesh factory collapse. In April, an eight-storey garment factory collapsed in Savar, Bangladesh, killing 1,129 people and injuring more than 2,000. One of the biggest and deadliest garment factory accidents, the event drew attention to the questionable working conditions in Bangladeshi factories.

Companies such as Canada's Joe Fresh were thrown in the spotlight after labels for their clothing were found in the rubble. Many companies, including Joe Fresh, pledged compensation to the victim's families who were struggling after having lost their breadwinners. (REUTERS/Andrew Biraj)

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SNC-Lavalin It was another year of bad headlines for SNC-Lavalin, the embattled Canadian engineering and construction company.

It topped the World Bank's list of most corrupt companies, and is blacklisted from competing on projects, along with 115 of its affiliates. (REUTERS/Christinne Muschi/Files)

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BlackBerry The year started with Research in Motion putting all its eggs in its BlackBerry basket -- renaming the company and releasing two new phones.

The Q10 and the Z10 weren't exactly bestsellers, and the company continues to slash jobs and shed executives. The company was almost bought up by Fairfax Financial, but that deal fell through. (REUTERS/Mark Blinch/files)

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Rogers Hockey Night in Canada Rogers Sportsnet stole the puck from CBC in a $5.2-billion deal for hockey media rights. Hockey Night in Canada will remain on CBC for now, but the public broadcaster will make no money from it.

Rogers also holds the reigns when it comes to the show's content and on-air talent. (Ernest Doroszuk/QMI Agency)

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The penny A penny for your thoughts? Not anymore. In February, the Mint sent out its last penny after the federal government voted it into obscurity.

Prices are now rounded up and down and Canadians seem to have adjusted pretty well to losing the coins.

While fundraisers were concerned that fewer change would hurt their donations, most Canadians are walking a little lighter, albeit with less of a jingle in their step. (JEROME LESSARD/QMI Agency)

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Target arrived, Sears downsized and The Brick got beat It was a year of ups and downs for retail in Canada.

Shoppers said goodbye to Zellers and welcomed U.S. retailer Target. The Canadian openings were greeted with much fanfare, but consumers were disappointed by higher prices than the American counterparts.

Sears announced that it would shut five locations including their iconic Eaton Centre store. This was followed by news of nearly 800 layoffs in November. The rivalry between The Brick and Leons ended with Leons buying the furniture giant. Turns out somebody can beat The Brick. (JOHN LAPPA/QMI AGENCY)